Perhaps the only thing that changes more rapidly than technology in today's amped-up digital environment is the terminology used to describe that technology and its impact on consumers--and marketers. One recent example is the advent of the term "omnichannel" marketing, which many struggle to differentiate from another relatively recent term--"multichannel" marketing. Still, those who are most enmeshed in the field say there is a key distinction between the two, and it's one that will have an impact on marketers as they continue to seek ways of having a meaningful impact on the consumers they hope to engage. And, importantly, it's less about technology than it may seem.

UK Bookstore WHSmith Offers Kobo E-Readers, Bookstore

WHSmith announced it would partner with Kobo in the U.K. and Ireland to bring Kobo e-readers and Kobo's ebook store to its customers. More than 750 WHSmith high street and travel stores will carry Kobo's range of Wi-Fi e-readers, which start at 89.99 GBP, including the first touch screen e-reader widely available in the U.K, the Kobo Touch, for 109.99 GBP.

According to paidContent, WHSmith will also connect its customers with Kobo's ebook store, in lieu of the existing WHSmith ebook store. Kobo offers readers access to 2.2 million titles, including a million free ebooks, and its e-readers can store up to 30,000 ebooks with expandable memory. Kobo is one of the most popular ebook brands in Australia and Canada; this is the company's first launch in the U.K.